The Aztec Civilisation
Dennett, B. and Howitt, B. (2014). Oxford insight history 8. 1st ed. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Map illustrated by Gillian Tyler in Stein, R.C., (1996). The Aztec Empire. Cultures of the past. New York, Benchmark Books.
Image: Ayres, S. (2012)
THE AZTEC EMPIRE
The worldview of the Aztecs was similar to the subsequent Spanish invaders in that both cultures believed that conquering other nation groups made their nations stronger.
The Aztecs expanded their empire by conquering and controlling surrounding city-states and tribes. The Aztecs used their armies to force them to pay tribute (a tax in the form or goods or labour). Over time, the Aztecs conquered everything from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico.
Although the rulers at the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán did not rule directly over all these cities, they were all related by trade, common religious celebrations, and the payment of tribute to the capital.
Gale. (2005). The rise of the Aztecs. Early Civilizations in the Americas Reference Library. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?zid=56713cc7a1556331191e162670d7da69&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CCX3424400043&userGroupName=clea26856&jsid=e46f8ef1b6d42c0a588f8127cdbc3f85
Agriculture
The Aztecs were an agricultural society. The main crop grown was corn (maize). They also grew beans, chilli peppers, squash, vegetable pears called chayote, tomatoes, limes, cashews, peanuts, sweet potatoes, avocados and of course chocolate. The Aztecs domesticated bees for honey, and turkeys and ducks for meat and eggs. They also ate guinea pigs and even dogs. They fished and hunted animals such as deer, rabbits, iguana, fish and shrimp. Even insects, such as grasshoppers and worms were harvested. These various types of meat, however, only made up a very minor part of the Aztec diet.
Aztec History. (2017). Aztec food. Aztec History. Retrieved from: http://www.aztec-history.com/aztec-food.html
The worldview of the Aztecs was similar to the subsequent Spanish invaders in that both cultures believed that conquering other nation groups made their nations stronger.
The Aztecs expanded their empire by conquering and controlling surrounding city-states and tribes. The Aztecs used their armies to force them to pay tribute (a tax in the form or goods or labour). Over time, the Aztecs conquered everything from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico.
Although the rulers at the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán did not rule directly over all these cities, they were all related by trade, common religious celebrations, and the payment of tribute to the capital.
Gale. (2005). The rise of the Aztecs. Early Civilizations in the Americas Reference Library. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/suic/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?zid=56713cc7a1556331191e162670d7da69&action=2&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CCX3424400043&userGroupName=clea26856&jsid=e46f8ef1b6d42c0a588f8127cdbc3f85
Agriculture
The Aztecs were an agricultural society. The main crop grown was corn (maize). They also grew beans, chilli peppers, squash, vegetable pears called chayote, tomatoes, limes, cashews, peanuts, sweet potatoes, avocados and of course chocolate. The Aztecs domesticated bees for honey, and turkeys and ducks for meat and eggs. They also ate guinea pigs and even dogs. They fished and hunted animals such as deer, rabbits, iguana, fish and shrimp. Even insects, such as grasshoppers and worms were harvested. These various types of meat, however, only made up a very minor part of the Aztec diet.
Aztec History. (2017). Aztec food. Aztec History. Retrieved from: http://www.aztec-history.com/aztec-food.html
Aztec Social Structure
Aztec Social Class Pyramid
Source: Aztec Empire Project. (2014). Social Classes. Retrieved from https://aztecprojectempire.wordpress.com/social-classes/
Source: Aztec Empire Project. (2014). Social Classes. Retrieved from https://aztecprojectempire.wordpress.com/social-classes/
In Aztec society, people had clearly defined roles. These roles were aligned with the social class into which they were born and determined how Aztec men and women lived. The social structure was also identified with boys and girls. Boys would receive a wider education than the girls and were taught how to fight and become a leader. Although, the girls were taught to cook, take care of a family, run a home and craft. The women did have a lot of power in the society but was mostly kept a secret. Two common ways to move up in the ranks of society were through the priesthood or through the military.
References
Aztec Empire (n.d.). Social Structure. Retrieved from http://the-aztec-empire.weebly.com/social-structure.html
Nguyen, V. (n.d.). Aztec Social System and Society. The Early Americas: The Aztecs. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/a/myfvsd.us/theearlyamericas-theaztecs/society/aztec-social-system-and-society
References
Aztec Empire (n.d.). Social Structure. Retrieved from http://the-aztec-empire.weebly.com/social-structure.html
Nguyen, V. (n.d.). Aztec Social System and Society. The Early Americas: The Aztecs. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/a/myfvsd.us/theearlyamericas-theaztecs/society/aztec-social-system-and-society
Dennett, B. and Howitt, B. (2014). Oxford insight history 8. 1st ed. South Melbourne
The Aztec currency
In Aztec times, the common currency was of course trade and bartering. The two most common way the Aztecs bartered was through the use of cocoa beans, made into chocolate, and cotton. It is interesting to note that the word chocolate actually comes from the Nahtul word xocolati. The value of goods would depend on their quality.
Legends & Chronicles. (2017). Aztec economy, trade and currency. Legends and Chronicles. Retrieved from http://www.legendsandchronicles.com/ancient-civilizations/the-ancient-aztecs/aztec-economy-trade-and-currency/
In Aztec times, the common currency was of course trade and bartering. The two most common way the Aztecs bartered was through the use of cocoa beans, made into chocolate, and cotton. It is interesting to note that the word chocolate actually comes from the Nahtul word xocolati. The value of goods would depend on their quality.
Legends & Chronicles. (2017). Aztec economy, trade and currency. Legends and Chronicles. Retrieved from http://www.legendsandchronicles.com/ancient-civilizations/the-ancient-aztecs/aztec-economy-trade-and-currency/
Aztec Festivals
New Fire Festival
The Aztec people had two calendars, the Xiuhpohualli and the Tonalpohualli. Both calendars would align every 52 years. The Aztecs believed that this alignment could bring disaster on the world so they held the special festival called the New Fire Festival. This was said to be one of the most important festivals for the Aztecs. Every fire would be put out and everybody would climb up on top of their houses to watch. The priests would dress up and climb the sacred mountain Uixachtlan. A sacrifice would be made at midnight and the priest would pull out the victim's heart then light a fire in their chest. The priest would then send around lit torches to light up every temple, school and house. The importance of the New Fire Festival focused on the sun's journey. The Aztec's believed if the festival sacrifice ritual was successful, everything would continue normally and the sun would rise again the next morning. If, however, the gods were not appeased by the sacrifice, then monsters would come and devour the world.
Cartwright, M. (2016). The Aztec New Fire Ceremony. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.ancient.eu/article/866/
The Aztec people had two calendars, the Xiuhpohualli and the Tonalpohualli. Both calendars would align every 52 years. The Aztecs believed that this alignment could bring disaster on the world so they held the special festival called the New Fire Festival. This was said to be one of the most important festivals for the Aztecs. Every fire would be put out and everybody would climb up on top of their houses to watch. The priests would dress up and climb the sacred mountain Uixachtlan. A sacrifice would be made at midnight and the priest would pull out the victim's heart then light a fire in their chest. The priest would then send around lit torches to light up every temple, school and house. The importance of the New Fire Festival focused on the sun's journey. The Aztec's believed if the festival sacrifice ritual was successful, everything would continue normally and the sun would rise again the next morning. If, however, the gods were not appeased by the sacrifice, then monsters would come and devour the world.
Cartwright, M. (2016). The Aztec New Fire Ceremony. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.ancient.eu/article/866/
Image: Koenigsberg, R. (n.d.). Aztec Warriors/Western Soldiers: The Body Politic Feeds Upon Human Bodies. Libraryofsocialscience.com. Retrieved from https://www.libraryofsocialscience.com/newsletter/posts/2016/2016-06-08-RAK-azw.html
Revise these definitions for the exam:
Barter - to trade by exchange of good rather than by the use of money
Barter - to trade by exchange of good rather than by the use of money
Courtesy of Ms Mitchell, CPAHS
Jigsaw Activity
Part 1.
In your group, research ONE of the following areas of Aztec society:
- Art and architecture
- Religion and festivals
- Food, farming and agriculture
- Warfare and conquest
- Society and social structure
You are to collaboratively create a slide presentation.
- You are going to be the 'Experts' and teach your classmates about your chosen topic using the slide presentation.
- For ease of collaboration you are to create a shared Google Slides presentation for all members of your group to contribute to and edit.
- You will also need to share with Ms Costello
- Do the same for a shared Google Doc.
- [One member can create the Google Slide and then share with other members. Another group member can do the same for the shared Google Doc. Use your DET emails so all can be accessed and edited in class]
- The Research pdfs at the bottom of this page should be used as a starting point for your research.
Part 2
- Design your Google Slides presentation of 8 - 10 slides plus your bibliography. Ensure to make use of any relevant maps, images and graphics that will help you to teach your topic area.
Part 3
- As 'Experts' you each will be teaching the class about your topic using your Google Slides presentation
- You will also collaboratively create in Google Docs a one page handout that summarises the main points of your presentation.
- [As you have shared this with me I will be able to print class sets of handouts for you]
At the conclusion of this task
- You will complete a self and peer assessment regarding collaborative group work
- The class will be given an online quiz on all the topics covered to help revise for the exam
Watch: Video 1. Ask History: What Happened to the Aztecs?
History. (2014). Ask History: What Happened to the Aztecs?. History Channel. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3kWJfkqT0g
Watch: Video 2. - THE AZTECS EMPIRE Documentary
Maisdiziqui. (2014). The Aztecs Empire Documentary. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJKkSr6V37E
Watch Video 3. The History Channel: The Aztec Empire
Prince Corsica. (2014). The Aztecs: Engineering an Empire. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZyB47qGXoI
For Research and Revision
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1
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Dennett, B. and Howitt, B. (2014). Oxford insight history 8. 1st ed. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
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| aztecs_oxford.pdf |
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2
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Mason, J., Fielden, P., Burgess, C., Myers, J. (2004). Experience World History. McGraw-Hill, North Ryde.
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| aztec_experience_world_history.pdf |
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3
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Darlington, R. and Greer, V. (2000). A History of people, events and cultures. Port Melbourne, Vic.: Heinemann.
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| spanish_colonisation_of_the_americas_people_places_and_events.pdf |
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4
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Darlington, R. and McCafferty, Y. (2016). Jacaranda history alive 8 for the Victorian curriculum. 1st ed.
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| aztecs_before_spanish_arrival.pdf |
5 Darlington, R. & Greer, V. (2007). History zone 1: World History (4th ed.). Port Melbourne, Vic.: Heinemann.
| who_were_the_aztecs.pdf |
6. Burke, E., Dennett, B., Kruse, D. and Mirams, S. (2001). Aspects of the past. 1st ed. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
| aspects_of_the_past_text.pdf |
7. Conroy, J. (1994). Ancient quest. 1st ed. Milton, Qld.: Jacaranda Press.
| ancient_quest_text_aztecs.pdf |
8. Issaquah Connect. (2014). Aztec art and architecture. Retrieved from http://file:///U:/@yEAR%208%20HSIE/Spanish%20Colonisation%20of%20the%20Americas/Aztec%20Art%20&%20Architecture.pdf
| aztec_art___architecture.pdf |
